Dark Chocolate Oat Pudding … eggless, vegetarian, indulgent, healthy. Life has such a fine balance as far as desserts and the sweet tooth goes. The advent of the holiday season makes it guilt ridden. Often you crave for something seductive, sinful and indulgent, yet cannot afford to swallow the calories that come with it.
With the festive season well underway, it’s always the more the merrier when it comes to desserts. Leave it to me, and I would pretty much try and squeeze and recreate every dessert to fit into wine glasses, or any glasses for that matter. There is something quite ethereal and fun about doing desserts in glasses. Convenient and quick too!
This dessert was no different. It was simple, quick to make, served individual portions and looked quite good. Deeply soul satisfying, smooth with beautiful texture, it’s quite delightful for an eggless chocolate pudding.
It’s also got ingredients that scream “we are good for you”. I am very fond of using oats in everything. I discovered there goodness a few years ago and have never looked back. From thickening soups to crumbing chicken, I find a way to include oats in just about every recipe I create. Sweet stuff too. From oats in cakes, cookies, biscotti, granola, I try and include them as much as possible.
Other than being a concentrated source of fibre, oats are big on anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. They leave you feeling full, help boost metabolism and help maintain immunity. Of course they lower cholesterol too.
Now pair them with dark chocolate and you have more magic. Dessert for one. Dark chocolate has the goodness to reduce blood pressure, improve brain function and above all, makes you feel good. Yes, it’s a spirit booster, mood elevator and makes you feel happy. So go on, INDULGE!
Dark Chocolate Oat & Walnut Pudding {eggless}
Ingredients
Dark Chocolate Oat & Walnut Pudding
- 400 g milk
- 200 ml low fat / single cream
- 30 g cocoa powder
- 35 g oats ground to fine meal
- 125 g 52% dark couverture chocolate chopped
- 75 g brown sugar
- 50 g honey
- 50 g roasted walnuts chopped
Topping
- Roasted walnut halves
- Chocolate shavings
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a heavy bottom pan and simmer over low heat, stirring constantly until it begins to thicken. Once it becomes as thick as a custard, take off heat, allow to cool, then puree with an immersion blender or blitz in a food processor.
- Fold the chopped walnuts through {optional}
- Pour into serving bowls / glasses.
- Cool and then chill for 4-6 hours, preferably overnight.
- Top with roasted walnuts, chocolate shavings, or even seasonal berries like blueberries, strawberries etc.